Zoom: How to Use the Live Transcription Feature

Live Transcription provides robot transcription services, which enables speech to text transcription in Zoom Meetings and Zoom Webinars. This feature is enabled by the host of the meeting or webinar once it begins. Participants will not see the Live Transcript option unless the host enables it. Note: This feature is not available in Breakout Rooms or Zoom on Linux OS. Also, this feature does not create subtitles in the Zoom recording. Subtitles only appear during the live meeting. 

This knowledge article demonstrates how to enable and use the live transcription feature in Zoom.

Host

Step 1

Click Live Transcript at the bottom of the Zoom toolbar. 

A red box surrounding the Live Transcript option on the Zoom toolbar

Step 2

When the Live Transcription menu opens, click Enable Auto-Transcription. Note: If the meeting is being recorded, and you have enabled Live Transcript, you will receive a copy of the transcript in the same location of your recorded meeting.

A red box surrounding the Enable Auto-Transcription option on the Live Transcription menu

Step 3

To turn off Live Transcription, click Disable Auto-Transcription in the Live Transcript menu. 

A red box surrounding the Disable Auto-Transcription option on the Live Transcription menu

Participant

Once Live Transcription enabled, participants have the option to choose how they want to view the robot transcription feature.

Step 1

Click Live Transcript to choose a transcript option. The menu options are:

  • Show Subtitles displays subtitles on the screen.
  • View Full Transcript displays subtitles in real time with both the speaker's name and a time-stamp within the transcript window. Note: We recommend this setting as best practice. 
  • Subtitle Settings will open a window where you can adjust the font size of both the subtitles and the chat window.

A red box surrounding the Live Transcript option with the Live Transcript menu showing

Step 2

Click View Full Transcript to view subtitle and speaker. If you would like a copy of the transcript, click View Full Transcript and Save Transcript. A copy of the transcript will be downloaded to your machine. Note: The transcript saves up to the moment of clicking Save Transcript. We recommend you click Save Transcript just before the meeting ends to ensure you have the transcript from the entire meeting. 

Tips for using Live Transcription with Zoom

  • Use an External Microphone: An external microphone/headset provides better audio quality and, therefore, more accurately matches what is being said verbally. 
  • Speak Slowly: Speaking slowly enables a more accurate match to what is being said verbally and allows others to follow the automatic transcript or subtitles. 
  • Take Turns/Pause Before Speaking: Zoom's active speaker tracking is used to identify the speaker. When another individual begins speaking, it can take a second or two before Zoom updates the transcript to identify the new speaker.
  • Monitor the Participants Panel for the Go Slower function: Zoom's Participants panel displays all attendees and shows any non-verbal feedback the attendees provide. When using automatic live transcription, consider keeping the Participants panel open to see if attendees are indicating they need speakers to Go Slower. 

A red box surrounding the Go Slower option under Non-Verbal Feedback

 

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